Information and Resources

Amyloidosis

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Amyloidosis is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

familial amyloidosis

primary amyloidosis

secondary amyloidosis

senile amyloidosis

General Discussion

Amyloidosis is a systemic disorder that is classified into several types. The different types of systemic amyloidosis are classified as primary, secondary or familial (hereditary). Primary amyloidosis (also called AL, or ‘light chain') is the most common type of systemic amyloidosis. AL results from an abnormality (dyscrasia) of plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) in the bone marrow and is closely related to multiple myeloma. Secondary (AA) amyloidosis is derived from the inflammatory protein serum amyloid A. AA occurs in association with chronic inflammatory disease such as the rheumatic diseases, familial Mediterranean fever, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis or empyema. Familial amyloidosis is a rare type of amyloidosis that is caused by an abnormal gene. There are several abnormal genes that can cause hereditary amyloidosis, but the most common type of hereditary amyloidosis is called ATTR and caused by mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene.

Senile amyloidosis, in which the amyloid is derived from wild-type (normal) transthyretin, is a slowly progressive disease that affects the hearts of elderly men. Amyloid deposits may occasionally occur in isolation without evidence of a systemic disease; isolated bladder or tracheal amyloid are the most common such presentations.

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

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This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.